The all-new 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 that debuted March 1 in Detroit boasts unique, class-first technology along with some impressive upgraded features. After spending some time chewing on what's significant and what's more flash and style, we've come up with five key features we think will differentiate this half-ton pickup truck when it hits goes on sale later this fall.

GMC designers and engineers always do an awkward dance between substance and style, keeping the needs and interests of their customers as their primary focus. Of course, Chevrolet and GMC always have had an interesting relationship, with Chevy being the bigger player in each pickup class, but GMC always having higher prices and being something of a technology test bed for parent company GM. In fact, the GMC Denali trim package, now practically its own brand, was originally an experiment in content boundaries. It is now the most popular trim level for GMC, with 1 in 3 GMCs sold equipped with Denali badging.

These features below are likely to gain momentum for GMC, giving it extra cache and separation from Chevy. We're sure that over time these technologies will make their way into Chevy pickups and possibly spread further than that.

Here are our top five not-so-hidden treasures:

1. Rearview Camera Mirror

This new system uses a center high-mounted bed camera embedded in the cab's bed light bezel to provide the driver with a taller view of what's going on behind the truck and in the bed. The standard-looking rearview mirror becomes a full screen showing what the rear camera sees, just in case your rear window view is blocked. The system also has a zoom-in feature. This will be one of those features you didn't know you wanted until you use it.

2. Adaptive Ride Control

GM has offered several versions of adaptive shock absorbers, the most recent being its wide use of MagnaRide shocks to quiet urban road noise and smooth out rough pavement in sports cars and GMC pickups. Active Ride Control is the next step up in suspension technology. The system actively monitors and adjusts the shock stiffness and comfort levels (every two milliseconds) to deliver the best ride, empty or loaded. We're assuming a Sport or All Terrain model is in our future.

3. ProGrade Trailering System

GMC's new trailering system is vastly improved and offers lots of important information and safety data to the driver. It comes with an app that offers a pre-departure checklist, maintenance reminders and a variety of trailer tests and diagnostics. Our favorite are the sensors placed in the trailer tire rims that give you tire pressure and temperature. But why can't we have that for the vehicle tires, too?

4. High-Definition Camera Cables

The biggest problem with wireless cameras on big, long trailers is the lag time between what you're seeing and what's actually happening. In some cases there can be delay of a half-second or more. When you're parking your camper or backing your horse trailer into a tight loading dock, you don't want to feel something before you see it happening. That's why GM has upgraded the GMC's trailer plugs with two hard-wired cable connections to allow those who tow quicker and better imaging. And we love that fact they've included two; we'd put a camera at the back and another inside.

5. Large Head-Up Color Display

Head-up displays have not caught on with many mainstream pickup manufacturers, but GM is bumping up its investment to include better, easily accessible safety information for the driver. Acting under the principle that the more information you can offer drivers in their line of sight, the safer the driving experience is likely to be, the new Sierra 1500 will have navigation, engine data and radio information reflected in the windshield screen via the head-up display.

GARBAGE MOTORS is calling that (the woman’s step)on the tailgate and FORD already have the man step tailgate. Get it? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Posted by: Chingon | Mar 5, 2018 2:19:12 PM

GARBAGE MOTORS is calling that (the woman’s step)on the tailgate and FORD already have the man step tailgate. Get it? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Posted by: Chingon | Mar 5, 2018 2:19:12 PM

MY STUPIDITY IS STARTING TO SHOW AGAIN.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Chingon | Mar 5, 2018 2:49:39 PM

Looking close at the Chevrolet rear bumper it looks like it will have the same hookup for the Trailer camera.

Posted by: Bobsled | Mar 5, 2018 2:56:23 PM

I would like to know how old is Chingon

Posted by: Leon | Mar 5, 2018 3:23:13 PM

Just received Consumer Reports 2018 Auto Issue today.

The F-150 came out # 1 as the top recommended truck

yes, CR did also rate the Tundra and Ridgeline high,,,,,,,,,,but at the bottom of the list was the Chevy and GMC trucks
even Ram and the lowly Nissan Frontier rated higher than Chevy and GMC trucks

Posted by: Ecoboost Rules | Mar 5, 2018 3:30:11 PM

HUD is such a no brainer to me I can't believe this wasn't an option years ago. GM has had this tech since the late 80's I'm stunned it has taken this long to make it's way into the pickup market. I also like the trailer updates.

The rest including the tailgate I don't really care (though I think it's pretty well thought out). If I was getting a good deal on a truck that had the tailgate and review mirror it wouldn't stop me from buying it but, I doubt I'd pay extra for either.

Posted by: Jack | Mar 5, 2018 3:52:34 PM

Consumer Reports Auto Issue , April 2018

on page 84 is the list of the Worst Used Cars

the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500,,,,and 2017 GMC Sierra 1500
made the list as the worst used vehicles

so keep on bringing those attacks on my F-150,,,,, I have more and bigger facts about the problems you're having with your Silverado's and Sierra's

almost new, low miles 2017 Silverado and Sierra made the WORST used list

Posted by: Ecoboost Rules | Mar 5, 2018 4:08:36 PM

Good job ecoboost does it change anything in your bank account

Posted by: Leon | Mar 5, 2018 4:19:49 PM

@Ecoboost Rules, its a one year old truck. That 2017 Silverado and Sierra will be running 10 years after and 200K miles after any Ford was crunched to used as recycled beer cans.

Posted by: Ron | Mar 5, 2018 5:13:41 PM

My F150 is the worst truck I have owned. Very poor fuel economy for such a small engine , I have the 3.5L. I will be trading for a new GMC Sierra Diserl.

Posted by: F150 Ecoboost | Mar 5, 2018 8:06:00 PM

@ Lion 🦁 who care how old I am the thing is the Ford is way better than GARBAGE MOTORS TRUCKS PEROID. GARBAGE MOTORS IS A FOLLWOER AND IT DOESNT MATTER HOW BIG THE COMPANY IS TO ME AND TO ALL THE FORD FANS GENERIC MOTORS SUCKS.

Posted by: Chingon | Mar 5, 2018 8:10:01 PM

@ Lion 🦁 who care how old I am the thing is the Ford is way better than GARBAGE MOTORS TRUCKS PEROID. GARBAGE MOTORS IS A FOLLWOER AND IT DOESNT MATTER HOW BIG THE COMPANY IS TO ME AND TO ALL THE FORD FANS GENERIC MOTORS SUCKS.

Posted by: Chingon | Mar 5, 2018 8:10:01 PM

@ f150 Ecoboost you suck bro !!! you and your poor brain 🧠 are gonna do the worst mistakes of your miserable life by switching to garbage motors company. But oh well good luck with GARBAGE MOTORS COMPANY.

Posted by: Chingon | Mar 5, 2018 8:14:38 PM

Any pics of TT mirrors yet? Is there still an All Terrain pkg? Any max tow #s?

Posted by: Common man | Mar 5, 2018 8:35:36 PM

Wow, what a bunch of 3yr olds.... Grow up and make some intelligent comments...

Posted by: Jason | Mar 5, 2018 8:41:30 PM

Ok chingon I respect you love ford but why go on a gm topic and talk nonsense little bit childish to me

Posted by: Leon | Mar 6, 2018 2:20:41 AM

GM certainly is trying.

They had fallen so very far behind.

It will be interesting to see how this works out.

HUDs in cars were never a big hit. I remember none of them working on any of the used GMs on our lot that had them. HUDs certainly are cool, and if youre gonna pay 100K for a truck I guess it ought to have a HUD (that hopefully works more than a few years but then again all my family's GM fans ditch their trucks every 4 years as they proudly say they prefer payments over repairs).

The Trailer info... meh... trailer systems been around a while and connectivity to the trailers tire pressure via what will almost certainly be tempermental sensors that will almost certainly come with a warning to still verify them seems silly. Its certainly no back up control. It was nice that they finally moved the integrated trailer brake (a ford innovation) to where ford had it all along.

Its good they will certainly hide the DEF tank and bring in more and aluminum body panels... you know like someone else did before them... and thus making their trucks into the Busch cans the morons who thought that was a bad idea compared aluminum trucks to. The CF bed is very cool and yes like aluminum will be more expensive to repair and melt if it catches fire. Looking forward to seeing how that turns out. Tacoma's composit beds work well so should this.

The camera cable hook ups are smart and the magna ride is cool. Again a 100K truck should have magnaride.

The zoom camera... meh... with 360 cameras and through the trailer cameras and hitch up cameras... its a minor enhancement.

Looking forward to info on the diesel straight 6.

Posted by: Clint | Mar 6, 2018 6:17:23 AM

Its nice to see Gm finally start to step up to the plate after being so far behind on tech compared to Ford. This should help them for sure, but I'm not sure its enough.

-CT

Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 6, 2018 6:37:44 AM

👍

Posted by: Yeah | Mar 6, 2018 7:29:15 AM

👍

Posted by: Yeah | Mar 6, 2018 7:29:17 AM

Nice truck. Love the styling. 👍

Posted by: Yeah | Mar 6, 2018 7:30:41 AM

I’m not at all interested in any of those things beyond the fact that I would not want them or to pay for them if I wanted a new Sierra.

What I am interested in is the diesel straight six and oddly enough the tailgate. When I first saw it I hated it for about five minutes but now I’m fascinated by it and want to try it out.

Posted by: BD | Mar 6, 2018 10:01:25 AM

I don't know what the deal is I have a 2015 Sierra z714x4 I love my truck it's great everybody I know with a dodge or a ford has nothing but problems worst crap ever cheap plastic everywhere un comfortable seats terrible mpgs

Posted by: Brian Fusilier | Mar 6, 2018 10:29:25 AM

Brian, I have a silverado and many friends have fords and rams, and I do not hear of any issues. Plus MPG is a mute point. On here its a big deal, but in the real world nobody cares.

-CT

Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 6, 2018 10:52:41 AM

@ CT

For a guy who owns a GM product u do a lot of complaining about GM product's... And a lot of defending other trucks. If Brian hears stories about trucks, it doesn't mean you have to.
Congrats that u don't hear them but many people on here don't care about all the junk tech that is being put into trucks. That is just more stuff to go WRONG!!!

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 12:09:00 PM

Its nice to see Gm finally start to step up to the plate after being so far behind on tech compared to Ford. This should help them for sure, but I'm not sure its enough.

-CT

Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 6, 2018 6:37:44 AM

You need to review this comparison from 2 years ago where the less tech GM twins ( as you say) placed a whipping on the newer F-150. You should re-evaluate what's important in a pick-up truck.

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Mar 6, 2018 12:18:31 PM

TNT, only because I have had issues with my last 2 gm products(one being a car), so yes I do complain, but that does not mean I will bash them and everyone else like you guys do on here. I am just open to all trucks, and not brand loyal.

BTW, I am currently truck shopping, I did drive a 2017 Silverado last week, and a Ram a few days ago, I liked the Ram a tad bit better. Plan to drive a F-150 Saturday.

GMS- I do not base my thoughts on online reviews or magazines.

-CT

Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 6, 2018 12:50:17 PM

@ CT

What problems. Please share.
I've shared my problem in had and GM took care of me. I'm interested in what u have had

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 1:18:26 PM

@ CT

For a guy who owns a GM product u do a lot of complaining about GM product's... And a lot of defending other trucks. If Brian hears stories about trucks, it doesn't mean you have to.
Congrats that u don't hear them but many people on here don't care about all the junk tech that is being put into trucks. That is just more stuff to go WRONG!!!

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 12:09:00 PM

Oh look, someone is disagreeing with her and she's getting mad.

Hey, that's life, even GM owners bash their own trucks.

Posted by: Frank | Mar 6, 2018 2:31:49 PM

@ Frank

I was asking CT a civil question. Stay out of the conversation.

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 3:12:29 PM

@ Frank

I was asking CT a civil question. Stay out of the conversation.

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 3:12:29 PM

This is a public, you don't like it, grab box of kleenex and get out.

CT don't give a crap about your question.

Posted by: Frank | Mar 6, 2018 3:27:29 PM

@ Frank

So you are speaking for other people now huh??

I have no time to put you in your place today; like I have time and time again. Like many others have also done on this forum!

Do something productive like.........getting a job!!!!

Then come back and post responsibly, and learn not to interrupt someone's conversation unless it pertains to it!!!

GET IT REGISTERED in your little brain FRANK!!

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 3:37:15 PM

"The all-new 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 that debuted March 1 in Detroit boasts unique, class-first technology along with some impressive upgraded features"

Sounds like Ford is still following GM in technology. Ford always playing catch up GM truck like always!!!!!

Posted by: johnny doe | Mar 6, 2018 3:49:17 PM

Hey, that's life, even GM owners bash their own trucks.

Posted by: Frank | Mar 6, 2018 2:31:49 PM

HAHA I work with a couple guys that own 2016 F-150's that have been bashing their own trucks all winter long. Both of them have had the 4WD system fail 3 or 4 times each. One of them didn't get a mile down the road and the front end started grinding the plastic gears to dust again. They showed me all the posts on the Ford truck forums made by guys with 2015 and newer F-150's. WOW what garbage lol.

I always though GM trucks had bad 4WD systems. These days the GM 4WD system looks like beast compared to the junk Ford is using. It's a joke that Ford calls their trucks tough when they use plastic gears to power the front wheels.

I have no time to put you in your place today; like I have time and time again. Like many others have also done on this forum!

Do something productive like.........getting a job!!!!

Then come back and post responsibly, and learn not to interrupt someone's conversation unless it pertains to it!!!

GET IT REGISTERED in your little brain FRANK!!

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 3:37:15 PM

Ha! What an idiotic comment, just like it's owner.

Posted by: Frank | Mar 6, 2018 4:31:09 PM

How original! Your worse than a child

Comeback with some thing other than an insult!

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 6, 2018 5:12:38 PM

Everybody, please ignore my son chingon. He slips out of his muzzle sometimes. His IQ is that of a rock. He's not exactly the brightest flashlight in the drawer but i blame his mom for his retardness, I told her not to snort coke while she was pregnant, but she just didn't listen. My son chingon sometimes reminds me of why I should have pulled out while I was banging his mother.

07 Silverado 5.3 LT. Transmission at 45K miles. it took 4 trips to dealership to get it replaced. I had to pay for the first 2 trips due to they couldn't feel the problem. Second issue is rust. Tailgate and step bars. transmission issue was overheating only when towing a boat. they eventually replaced it. Other than that is has been fine.

-CT

Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 7, 2018 9:02:33 AM

@ CT

Glad to hear that they took care of you. Unfortunately, the 07 to 13 models are well known for rusting if not properly wiped down every single time. The JUNK they put on the highways here in the Midwest "destroys" vehicles. My truck this past week looks almost white after 2 days of driving took it into car wash bay and took me over an hour to wash it off and dry it.

Posted by: TNTGMC | Mar 7, 2018 9:20:30 AM

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